Madam Speaker, my Ministry fully supports the development of a safe, modern and inclusive sporting facilities for young people, including skateboarding, which is now recognised as an Olympic discipline and a fast-growing sport among our youth. Following a formal request received from WolfPack Mauritius on 13 March 2025, the proposal for a skatepark was referred to the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes for examination and follow-up action. Since then, the council has engaged in consultation with representatives of the association and has actively facilitated the skateboarding activities within its premises, including the Go Skateboarding D ay event held on 21 June 2026, which is the internationally recognised day for the promotion of skateboarding worldwide. I am pleased to inform the House that the proposed skate park project has been included amongst the priority projects submitted.

(Interruptions)

There is a murmur. I cannot hear the hon. Minister. Carry on, hon. Minister!

I am pleased to inform the House that the proposed skate park project has been included among the priority projects submitted for financing under the Government of India Grant. The project is designed to cover an area of approximately 500 square meters and will cater for both skateboarding and roller skating, thereby maximising the use of the facility by a wider range of users. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, the municipal council has identified two potential locations, namely the Sir Satcam Boolell Sport Complex at Ebène and the parking area at Tulip Avenue, among others. The final site will be selected after the necessary technical and feasibility assessment with particular attention to accessibility, safety, environmental suitability, and the requirements of future users, including children and young adults. The primary cost of the project is estimated at approximately Rs4.5 million. The funding request is presently awaiting the required approval from the Prime Minister's Office under the Government of India Grant Framework. Once approval is obtained, the municipal council will proceed without delay with the preparation of the project document, the procurement exercise, and the implementation construction works strictly in line with the applicable procedures and regulations. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, consultations with Wolf Pack Mauritius have already started and will continue throughout the design and implementation stage. Other relevant stakeholders, users, and technical experts will also be consulted to ensure that the facility complies with recognised safety standards and responds effectively to the needs and the expectation of the local skateboarding communities.

Okay. One question for the moment.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Au nom des jeunes de Belle Rose-Quatre Bornes, le Dr. Boolell, le Deputy Speaker, l'honorable Veda Baloomoody et moi-même, nous remercions l'honorable ministre pour sa réponse. Le ministre peut-il préciser à la Chambre si Maurice dispose des compétences techniques requises pour la conception de ce projet ou si le recours à une expertise étrangère, notamment réunionnaise, est envisagé ? Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente.

Short and sweet, hon. Minister.

Yes. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Members that the council does not have in-house specialists in skate park facilities. But the municipal council will, therefore, work in close collaboration with the experienced local skateboarding association. We do have an association.

They are experts?

They are experts. We will work in collaboration with them.

Une dernière, Madame la présidente.

Yes!

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Le skateboard étant une discipline olympique, le ministre peut-il indiquer si son ministère envisage une collaboration avec le ministère des Sports afin d'offrir aux jeunes des infrastructures adaptées leur permettant de s'entraîner et de développer leur potentiel ? Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente.

Very easy.

Yes. Madam Speaker, my Ministry is already working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. I am sure that hon. Deven Nagalingum will give a helping hand for the promotion of skateboarding.

Very good. Thank you very much. I will have a last question from hon. François. RODRIGUES – EIA LICENCES APPLICATIONS (2021-2026)